Rock On: Peace out for Jazz's Favors

FAVORABLE

The Jazz and Derrick Favors have agreed on a four-year contract extension averaging about $12 million per year.

Thus general manager Dennis Lindsey did himself a few favors (Rock On isn’t above stooping to puns).

The Jazz big man told Utah media: “The main thing I like about Salt Lake City is that it’s peaceful. It’s not loud with a lot of stuff going on. You can go home and get peace of mind. I hope to make this my home and I hope to retire here.’’

Sorry to inform him, but if the Jazz again miss the playoffs, “peace” isn’t likely to be the operative word around here.

JOHNNY FLYBOY

Unconfirmed Internet reports claim Heisman winner Johnny Manziel was in a helicopter that touched down at a Texas high school football game last week. The chopper was allegedly bearing Texas A&M scouts.

If true, adding Manziel was a nice touch.

But shouldn't A&M be looking for ways to keep his feet on the ground and his head out of the clouds?

ON THE DEFENSE

Security personnel at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport arrested basketball legend Bill Russell last week for having a loaded gun in his carry-on luggage.

Rock On Sources say Russell only had the gun because he has felt vulnerable and unprotected since first meeting Wilt Chamberlain in the paint.

HEALTHY CONTEMPT

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban says hatred of the Miami Heat is good for the NBA — in an Oakland Raiderish sense.

"With the two titles, they're still like the bad guys," Cuban told Texas media last week. "There's a confidence bordering on arrogance that is good for them as a team and good for us as a league because it also makes them the team that everybody wants to knock off.”

As for hating Cuban, well, there’s an argument for that, too.

ZERO SUM

After Real Salt Lake’s shocking U.S. Open Cup loss to D.C. United earlier this month, coach Jason Kreis said, “This is a brutal game sometimes.”

What better way to describe a sport in which a scoreless tie can get you into the playoffs?

AIRING GRIEVANCES

Washington State coach Mike Leach had his team throw a record 89 passes against Oregon, many of them long after the outcome had been decided.